HR Business Partner Review

Item: HR Business Partner at Department for Work and Pensions
Rating: 4.3
Author: Anonymous

at Department for Work and Pensions

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Human Resources

Manchester

Review Submitted: March 2025

Overall Rating

4.3 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

4.5/5 - Overview of Role

4/5 - Skills Development

4/5 - Structure and Support

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

4/5

Within the HR space, I work in a small team with responsibility for the strategy, governance and reporting aspects of people impacts aligned with estates and workplace transformation, as part of a ten year programme to ensure we have a smaller, better and greener estate.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

5/5

The programme is challenging and stretching, as you would expect, but I am enjoying exploring new areas, considering frameworks to apply in my day to day work, and collaborating/networking with likeminded colleagues from other business areas.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

4/5

I am developing skills around strategic management, change and innovation and financial modelling to support the wider programme activities to be more flexible, affordable and inclusive whilst supporting retention of our colleagues who are impacted by estate change.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

3/5

The course is very structured and we have a great deal of support from our apprenticeship tutor. There have been some issues around the IT elements used to record aspects which could be more clearly addressed from the outset.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

4/5

My employer is supportive of the development opportunity, and whilst I am expected to be self-sufficient in terms of managing my time and commitments, I know I can discuss issues and concerns with them to find suitable solutions.

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

4/5

Given the level of the course, we are expected to be able to manage our time effectively but support routes are signposted and reiterated throughout the duration so as/when any additional support is needed it would be easy to source.

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

4/5

The study is helping me to re-evaluate my approach to my day to day role, challenging me to consider alternative approaches and ways of working, as well as stretching me and considering my longer-term professional development and aspirations.

Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

5/5

Yes, there are range of opportunities through different groups.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Department for Work and Pensions to a friend?

Yes

Why?

The organisation is so large that there are always new opportunities to explore and a range of career paths, as well as having extensive supporting policies in place to support people in their personal development.